WATSONVILLE, Calif., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Strawberries may be the most
effective of the five most commonly consumed berries at inducing cancer
cell death, according to a recent study conducted at the UCLA Center for
Human Nutrition. The center recently tested extracts of six berries --
strawberries, raspberries, black raspberries, blueberries, blackberries
and cranberries -- to determine their ability to induce apoptosis, a
process that enhances the death of cancer cells.

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In one phase of the study, all of the berry extracts exhibited
anti-proliferative effects and did so in a dose-dependent manner. The
strongest strawberry effects were seen against two types of oral cancer
cells and one type of colon cancer cells. A second phase of the
experiment measured their ability to induce programmed cell death
(apoptosis) against a cyclooxygenase (COX)-II expressing enzyme colon
cancer cell. The results showed that the berries were potent inducers of
apoptosis in the human colon cancer cells.

Navindra Seeram, Ph.D., presented the findings of this study at the
International Berry Health Benefits Symposium, June 13-14, 2005.

Strawberries account for 75% of the fresh berry volume sold at retail,
followed by blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries, in
descending order. Strawberries and other berries contain high levels of
the phytochemicals that are believed to be responsible for the
protective effects of diets high in fruits and vegetables against
chronic illnesses such as cancer, inflammation, heart disease and
neurodegenerative diseases.

The investigators concluded that more in vivo studies are warranted to
investigate the impact of berry phytochemicals on human health.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: Navindra P. Seeram, Ph.D.

Dr. Seeram is the Assistant Director of UCLA Center for Human Nutrition
and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine
at UCLA. His 15 years of experience in phytochemical research is
currently directed towards the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of foods
and dietary supplements for the prevention and treatment of chronic
illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

Oh, I see no wonder I've seen the ads online about strawberries as antioxidants. Wow, is strawberry and acai berry have something in common?
I've read a lot about acai berry too, and its aid for colon cleansing.